Michael Palin slams John Cleese and Eric Idle

Michael Palin has branded John Cleese and Eric Idle "difficult" and says their lavish lifestyles caused problems within 'Monty Python'.

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Posted: 19 Mar 2015 17:00Updated: 19 Mar 2015 19:15

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Monty Python

Michael Palin has branded John Cleese and Eric Idle "difficult".

The 71-year-old comedian admits there was always a divide within the 'Monty Python' team as his two colleagues enjoyed lavish "lifestyles" and "higher expectations" than the rest of the comedy troupe.

He said: "John and Eric had lifestyles, how can I say it, they were slightly more complicated. ... They wanted to go on holidays in Barbados and all that, rather more than Terry [Jones] and myself, who were just happy going to have a pint at the pub.

"So they were stars and we weren't, basically, and the trouble with stars is they can be a bit difficult. So there were difficulties every now and then between those who had higher expectations of life, and those of us at the humbler end of the writing spectrum."

Last year, the five surviving members of 'Monty Python' - Michael, John, Eric, Terry and Terry Gilliam - reunited for a series of shows in London but it looks unlikely they will reform again, with Michael citing John's "very attractive, if slightly overpriced autobiography" as proving the 'Fawlty Towers' star isn't interested.

Speaking during his 'A Life in Television' BAFTA Q&A in London on Tuesday (17.03.15) evening, he said: "Having just read his very attractive if slightly overpriced autobiography, I could tell he wasn't really keen to do a lot more.

"At the very end, he says, 'There I found myself at the O2, it was the second night and I was looking out and there were 15,000 people waiting for us to do this thing. Why couldn't I be more excited?'

"That's how he ends the book. And so, I know, I could tell that John wasn't really keen to do a lot more. He said he would be, but you know you've got enough money by then."

Next month, the quintet - who were originally joined in 'Monty Python' by Graham Chapman, who died in 1989 - are due to reunite at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Their film 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' will screen at New York's Beacon Theatre on April 24 in celebration of its 40th anniversary.